NCAAM: I’m Not Sold On Jalen Duren Just Yet
I am not on board the Jalen Duren hype train. Is he one of the best prospects going into the 2021-22 collegiate season? Yes, can’t deny him that. I for one don’t think he’s as prolific as many say he is. He could be a superstar, but right now that’s a far way off.
In terms of athletic freaks of nature, that’s Duren to perfection. He’s an explosive athlete. Jalen put up some gaudy stats in high school and did so at a prestigious prep school. With Duren, to an extent, you’re getting a dominating paint presence. He’s not going to back his man down or call for the ball on a post-up. Duren relies on alley-oops off the pick and roll and fastbreaks (that’s his bread and butter)
Think of Duren as Zion Williamson without the strength. Jalen Duren has some muscle to him. Unlike Zion, he’s not using that frame to overpower opponents.
I’m not too sure how that’ll work at a higher level unless some strength is added. He’s agile and quick, yet that only goes so far. This is especially true considering Duren doesn’t rely on his shot all that often.
Like Zion, Duren is going to put butts in seats. He is going to make the Univ of Memphis a must-watch TV. Like Zion did at Duke, he’s going to do it because of rim-shattering slams. Duren isn’t going to develop his shot this season, at least not to the level of calling him a top-3 pick.
Jalen Duren strikes me as more of a James Wiseman (another Univ. Of Memphis recruit). Once again, a freak athlete but relying on him for anything else, that’s a mistake. That’s not take away from him as a player. Duren has upside (a ton of it) it’ll just be really hard to see the full package coming together by next year’s NBA Draft.
Of course, there’s always a potential reward to any potential risk. Duren could develop that jumper, extend his game to the 3-point line and take the ball to the basket. All of these things I’ve seen him do are just not consistently or pretty. The coaching staff at Memphis will have a plan in place for him. He’s far too good to not want to cater your offense to him.
The goal, however, needs to be getting him more opportunities outside the paint. If Duren can adjust that part of his game and be more efficient, my attitude will change. He’s not as versatile as Chet Holmgren (who I’m also rather low on). That’s going to kill his draft stock. There’s nobody who will say Jalen Duren isn’t going to be a dominant college player. However, will be a dominant player in the NBA?
Who knows
Image Source: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
